Cold cathode housing



Dec. 29, 1942. w. cHEGwlDDEN COLD CATHODE HOUSING Filed May 29, 1940Inventor Wiafrd C/rgywdden Patented Dec. 29, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENTOFI-'ICE i l conn ca'isnsnonsmo wumavcnemacen, smeg. N. J.application-Mayas, 1946, serai No. :sus: f

`a chum (ci. 11s-sas) This invention relates to housings for highvoltase iiuorescent neon tube electrodes such as may be accuratelydescribed as cold cathode housings.

The present art does not provide approved cathode housings that may beused with safety against accidental injury to the user orindividualsservicing such lighting apparatus which involves the use of high tensioncurrents.

Housings predicated upon the present art might vbe used for the purpewith mqdmcuons that would make their structure too cumbersome for usewith interior lighting systems, and therefore useless in the largestileld wherein such high tension lighting is most. desirable and needed.

The present invention provides the means by which high tension coldcathode iluorescent neon tubes may be installed in combination withsuitable reilecting means now known in the art. The object of thisinvention is to provide a cold cathode high tension fluorescent tubeelectrode housing that is absolutely safe to handle and to service, thatwill not permit accidental injury, and that will provide an efficientand safe practical means for extending the use of the high tensionfluorescent tube for interior lighting.

In the accompanyingl drawing,

Figure 1 is a perspective elevation of the invention; and

Fig. 2, a perspective view of an angle electrode connector adapted foruse with the housing shown in Figure 1, and 1 Fig. 3, a perspective viewof a straight line electrode connector; and

Fig. 4, a sectional elevation of the invention taken on line a-a inFigure 1, and showing an angle electrode connector therein; and

Fig. 5, aA sectional elevation of the invention showing a straight lineconnector therein.

Reference numerals indicate the same parts in the drawing.

In the practice of the invention which is hereinafter fully described,the hollow or tubular body portionof the housing I is made from glass orapproved ceramic materials well known in the art. The body portion I hasan outside thread member at its upper end and a cap closure member 3,and has mounted in said cap a bolt member 4 to suitably engage a springmember 5 to hold such spring in position. The lower end of the springmember 5 is secured to a tubular plug member 6, by means of a boltmember 1. A ange member 8 which is integral with the plug member 6,rests upon an annular member 9 integral with the housing body portion Ito limit the reciprocal movement of said plug 6 in the housing I.

The lower outside portion o! the housing body portion I is provided witha laterally extending ange member III, and athreaded portion IIimmediately above and adjacent to said iiange member. the ilange I0 andthreaded portion being provided to enable the mounting of .the cathodehousing in a reflector member I2, a fragmental portion of which ls shownin Fig. 4, the assembly beingheld in ilxed position by a threaded-angemember I3. An angle electrode'connector Il has mounted therein a studmember I5 thereby providing a conducting means for current to the neontube electrode, the lower end 'of said stud I5 being threaded and saidthreaded portion I6 passing through a threaded opening in the housing II to act as set screw means for securing the metal end cap Il of a hightension uorescent neon tube electrode I8 in operative engagement withthe electrode connector I4. Y

Fig. 5 shows an identical structure, it is however, a straight lineelectrode connector andthe portion I9 acts as a guard for the electrode,the cap I'I being held in operative engagement with the stud I 5 by thespring 6 in the housing i. Straight line electrode connectors of thistype may be provided with a groove 20 into which an annular cork orother resilient member may be inserted toy prevent the entrance ofinsects and other undesirable elements into the body portion oi' thecathode housing I.

The stud I 5 in the connectors, and the spring member 5 and itssupporting bolt members d and 'I are the current conducting meansbetween the neon tube electrode and the power conducting means 23connected to the bolt member 4. The power line terminal bolt 4 isprotected by a vsuitable glass or ceramic cover member 22 which is wellknown in the art.

It will be obvious from the disclosure that accidental contact with thecurrent source through the spring member 5 would be impossible exceptingby deliberate placing of current conducting means into thesmall openingin the plug 0. The plug 6 may be varied in length to be adapted forhigths tension currents varying from 5,000 to 15,000 vo What is claimedas the invention and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is:

1. A cold cathode housing comprising; a hol low body portion having anintegral annular shelf member thereinfa body closure member, a plugmember having a constricted connector stud receiving opening therein andslidably mounted in c6 the body portion, a resilient power conductingmeans rigidly mounted therein, said conducting,

means being adapted to enter the cathode housing plug member portion toeiect connection with the housing conducting means and a neon tubeelectrode.

2. A cold cathode housing comprising; a hollow body portion havinganintegral annular shelf member therein, a body closure member, a plugmember having a constricted connector stud receiving opening therein andslidably mounted in the body portion, a resilient power conducting meansinterposed between the plug member and the body closure, a powerconducting means mounted in the body closure, an electrode connectingmeans comprising an angular tubular member having individual openingsseparated by -a wall therebetween and a power conducting means mountedin said wall and passing therethrough to operatively engage a. neon tubeelectrode, the power conducting end of the connector being adapted toenter the cathode housing body portion to effect connection with theconducting means and to close the housing opening against foreignmaterial, and means on the body portion for mounting said housing in apanel.

WILLARD CHEGWIDDEN.

